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County residents are urged to remember 9-1-1

12/21/00

During this busy holiday season, Renfrew County residents are being encouraged to slow down enough to remember three crucial numbers - 9-1-1. The 9-1-1 emergency telephone response system has been in place throughout the County for several months now, but local residents have not all embraced the change. As many as 65% of emergency calls are still being made through the old, seven-digit telephone numbers for local police, ambulance or fire stations.

"We have a state-of-the-art system, and we want people to use it," says Ken Becking, Renfrew County's 9-1-1 Coordinator. "It can mean the difference between life and death," he adds, explaining that the 9-1-1 system uses computer technology to assist emergency service providers to respond promptly and efficiently with the type of help the caller needs.

"Our 9-1-1 system immediately records the address of the caller if it is known," Becking points out. "This is of great advantage to the emergency service providers."

"During an emergency, time can be in short supply," he adds. "We don't want people wasting time, calling the wrong number." Many of the old numbers are now used for administration purposes at local offices. The people who answer them are not always prepared to immediately respond to an emergency.

In many cases, those numbers are being used during emergencies because people still have them programmed for quick-dial on their phones. Becking urges people to erase those numbers. They should only be used when people are looking for general information or making any kind of non-emergency call.

"We have to make people 9-1-1 smart," the County Coordinator says. "That information needs to be so basic that, when they need it, people don't even have to take time to think about it."

9-1-1 is the appropriate number to call whenever emergency help is needed, whether it's police, ambulance or fire. It should never be used in non-emergency situations. "We want people to know that, if they see any sign of danger or injury, 9-1-1 is the number to call."

The holiday season can be a busy time for emergency calls - candles, fireplaces and chimneys are used more frequently and the roads are filled with holiday travellers. County residents are urged to remind their families about the proper use of 9-1-1 emergency services.

"It could be the most important gift you'll give," Becking notes. (For more information, contact Ken Becking, County of Renfrew, 732-4353.)